John Lyons’ criticism of “the Jewish lobby”: A reader proffers an explanation

October 5, 2021 by  
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As a member of the Australian Jewish community (Australian first and foremost), I agree with most of John Lyons’ complaints.

What Mr Lyons fails to understand is the increased sensitivity of some supporters of Israel, caused to a large extent by the disproportionate attention lavished on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, when compared with the scores of other injustices throughout the world.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was established in 2006. Since then, half of its 100-odd condemnatory resolutions have been against Israel – more than all the other countries combined. In addition, the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council have also decided to target Israel for criticism far in excess of every other country.

Furthermore, almost every incident involving Israel is featured on the front page of the world’s newspapers, whereas other, often more deadly, incidents are relegated to the rest of the news.

Filipino extra-judicial killings in the past four years have been at an annual rate more than ten-fold the casualty rate in Israel/Gaza/West Bank. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2019, adopted only one resolution requesting actions against those killings in the Philippines.

Perhaps the reason for the disproportionate press coverage of Israel’s behaviour is because Israel’s democracy permits press coverage that may be critical, controversial and is not censored?

This is in sharp contrast to the lack of press freedoms in the many repressive regimes which control the UN.

Does anyone recall that in 2014 several Italian and US journalists reported being threatened, then expelled from Gaza for highlighting that the terrorist organization, Hamas, used civilian sites to attack Israel? Can anyone point to a UN resolution condemning Russia for her invasion of Crimea?

Could Mr Lyons conceive that some supporters of Israel could overreact to the disproportionate anti-Israel coverage? Can he understand that some of those people, especially those who suffered the extreme antisemitism of the Holocaust, could be extra-sensitive to criticism of the world’s only Jewish state?

Alan Slade

Sydney

Comments

3 Responses to “John Lyons’ criticism of “the Jewish lobby”: A reader proffers an explanation”
  1. Sue Edmondson says:

    Have you read his book? Where is the research that supports your impression that Israel’s faults are highlighted in the world press above any other country’s? What makes you think he is insensitive to Jewish experience? I found quite the opposite in View from the Balcony, his earlier book.

  2. Michael Burd says:

    Anti Zionist Jewish progressive mob NIF hosting their hero in a panel discussion with other Israel critics
    Well done Melbourne Jewish benefactors of this invidious mob !

  3. Maxine Finberg says:

    Excellent Alan thanks.

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